Ideas for Teaching Media Literacy

1. Have learners collect ads from a variety of media: web, billboards, magazines, newspapers, radio ads, TV ads. Use these worksheets with them to determine the target audience, the gimicks used in the ads, what information is missing that the viewer should have to make informed decisions.
2. Develop your own ad for a service or a product of your choosing. Be sure to use the ad planner.

3. Give advice to individuals reading ads, include at least 5 tips.
4. Why is it important to think critically about each ad you read , see or hear?

5. Why should you investigate before you buy or get a service?

6. What do you think is meant by 'Buyer Beware'?

7. Find 5 ads that target young people/children. How do you know these ads are targeting young people?

8. Find 5 junk food ads and indicate how or why you think that these are junk foods. Why would these ads be worrisome for young children?

9. Should ads on unhealthy products such as junk food, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. be banned? Why or why not?

10.List all the persuasive methods that advertisers use to convince you to purchase a product or service.

11. Find examples of heroes or TV/Movie personalities used in advertisements. Is this effective? Why or why not?

12. Find ads that create a sense of urgency as to why you need this product or service. Is it effective? Why or why not? What other information is needed for you to make an informed decision about this product or service?